This is a look at the first-round order for the 2026 NFL Draft heading into the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. The order is determined by record, using strength of schedule as the first tiebreaker (click here to see a full list of the draft-order tiebreakers). Keep in mind -- teams that made the playoffs are marked as PL (short for playoffs) in the order below. The draft order for playoff teams is determined by the results of postseason play.
Arrows reflect movement from last week's order.
2026 NFL Draft order, Picks 1-18
Strength of schedule: .538
Biggest needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, Edge
While there’s a long way to go between now and draft day, it certainly feels like a fait accompli that the Raiders will pick a quarterback in the first round for the first time since 2007.
Strength of schedule: .552
Biggest needs: QB, OL, CB, WR, DL
The Jets tore things down to the studs at the trade deadline and now have a pile of draft assets to help them reset, including four of the top 50 picks.
Strength of schedule: .571
Biggest needs: QB, OL, Edge, S, DL
It looks messy in Arizona after the team’s collapse following a 2-0 start to the season. The first priority has to be charting a path forward at the quarterback position, with Kyler Murray’s future murky.
Strength of schedule: .574
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, CB, OL, S
GM Mike Borgonzi has his work cut out for him. In addition to strengthening Cam Ward’s supporting cast on offense -- a must to set a foundation for the 2025 No. 1 overall pick -- he’ll need to tighten up one of the league’s worst defenses.
Strength of schedule: .524
Biggest needs: WR, OL, CB, LB, S
Netting the first pick could have led to a franchise-altering windfall for the Giants, but back-to-back wins to close the season dropped them four spots in the order in the last two weeks. The organization can focus on building around a promising young passer in Jaxson Dart.
Strength of schedule: .486
Biggest needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, LB
With Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel ranking last and second-to-last in EPA per dropback (min. 200 dropbacks), the Browns’ search for an answer at quarterback continues.
Strength of schedule: .507
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, WR, LB, TE
Things fell apart in an injury-plagued year for Jayden Daniels, and now GM Adam Peters has to pick up the pieces. Giving Daniels more help will be essential, but Dan Quinn will need to fix a defense that hasn’t finished in the top half of the league in scoring on his watch.
Strength of schedule: .495
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, OL, CB, DL
Whether Tyler Shough is the long-term solution at quarterback remains to be seen, but he did lead the Saints on their longest winning streak since the Drew Brees era. There are plenty of needs on both sides of the ball, from surrounding the QB with more playmakers to adding juice on the defensive line.
Strength of schedule: .514
Biggest needs: TE, RB, WR, CB, OL
The Chiefs, holding a top-10 pick for the first time since they traded up to draft Patrick Mahomes, have some major question marks to address, starting with Travis Kelce’s future.
Strength of schedule: .521
Biggest needs: Edge, OL, CB, DL, S
Cincinnati is holding its highest pick since drafting Ja’Marr Chase fifth overall in 2021. Will the Bengals use it to shore up the Joe Burrow-led offense or fill a hole in a defense that sank in 2025?
Strength of schedule: .488
Biggest needs: QB, OL, CB, S, TE
It seems like the Dolphins are ready for a fresh start at quarterback after benching Tua Tagovailoa. Offensive line investments will be essential for whoever is under center next season.
Strength of schedule: .438
Biggest needs: Edge, S, CB, LB, WR
With two first-round picks in 2026, the Cowboys have a chance to rebuild a defense that resides at the bottom of the league.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE ATLANTA FALCONS
Falcons' record: 8-9
Strength of schedule: .495
Rams' biggest needs: OL, CB, S, WR, QB
Quentin Lake signed an extension before the end of the season, but the secondary will still require significant attention with Kam Curl, Cobie Durant and Roger McCreary headed for free agency.
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Falcons' needs.
Strength of schedule: .507
Biggest needs: Edge, DL, OL, CB, S
After a crushing end to the 2025 campaign, GM Eric Decosta has to find a way to crank up the Ravens’ pass rush. They finished the season with the fourth-lowest QB pressure rate and third-fewest sacks in the league.
Strength of schedule: .529
Biggest needs: Edge, LB, CB, DL, TE
For the first time since the 2019 season, the Buccaneers missed the playoffs. Now they’re faced with the impending free agencies of some core contributors, including Lavonte David.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Colts' record: 8-9
Strength of schedule: .540
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Colts' needs.
Strength of schedule: .490
Biggest needs: Edge, DL, OL, CB, S
Former strengths turned into weaknesses for the Lions in 2025. GM Brad Holmes has work to do in the trenches, including finding an edge-rushing complement for Aidan Hutchinson.
Strength of schedule: .514
Biggest needs: S, CB, OL, WR, LB
The Vikings were tremendous on defense, especially down the stretch, but the team’s most pressing needs are on that side of the ball heading into the offseason. Harrison Smith could be headed for retirement.
Playoff teams
Strength of schedule: .522
Biggest needs: OL, Edge, LB, CB, S
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE GREEN BAY PACKERS
Packers' record: 9-7-1
Strength of schedule: .483
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Packers' needs.
Strength of schedule: .503
Biggest needs: QB, WR, CB, S, OL
Strength of schedule: .458
Biggest needs: S, DL, CB, Edge, OL
Strength of schedule: .469
Biggest needs: OL, Edge, DL, S, CB
Strength of schedule: .476
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, TE, S, WR
Strength of schedule: .471
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, CB, OL, LB
Strength of schedule: .498
Biggest needs: WR, OL, Edge, S, CB
Strength of schedule: .522
Biggest needs: OL, DL, RB, LB, Edge
Strength of schedule: .526
See Pick No. 13 for analysis of the Rams' needs.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jaguars' record: 13-4
Strength of schedule: .478
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Jaguars' needs.
Strength of schedule: .391
Biggest needs: Edge, OL, DL, TE, S
Strength of schedule: .422
Biggest needs: LB, TE, DL, OL, RB
Strength of schedule: .498
Biggest needs: CB, OL, WR, Edge, RB
Teams without a 2026 first-round pick
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE LOS ANGELES RAMS
Biggest needs: TE, DL, WR, CB, LB
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE DALLAS COWBOYS
Biggest needs: CB, OL, DL, LB, Edge
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE NEW YORK JETS
Biggest needs: Edge, OL, DL, LB, S
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE CLEVELAND BROWNS
Biggest needs: CB, LB, OL, S, WR
